Tooth powder dispenser and refill



Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNTED STATE .A'EET OFFICE 7 Claims.

My invention relates to certain improvements in devices for dispensingtooth powder and the like, and more particularly it relates to casingsfor containing a supply of powder and adapted to be used in connectionwith dispensers of the type described and claimed in mycopendingapplication Serial No. 352,510, filed August 14, 1940.

The dispensing means comprises an outer casing provided with a valvedopening and adapted to contain a supply of powder to be dispensed asrequired. One of the objects of my invention is to provide a containerfor the powder, separate from the outer casing, having a powderdischarge outlet and which may be filled at the powderproducing factoryand the outlet sealed by suitable displaceable closure means, the iilledcontainer constituting a refill for the dispenser which may be suppliedthrough the regular trade channels, like any ordinary can of powder, andsold to the user or owner of a dispenser who may readily displace theclosure means over the powder outlet and insert the lled container intothe dispenser with the outlet in register with the valved opening of thedispenser so that powder may ow from the container and the dispenser incontrolled quantities as required for use.

I prefer to make the outer casing or body of the dispenser in the formof a sleeve with an open end into which the powder filled inner casingor container may be inserted; and it is another object of my inventionto provide conveniently operated means carried by the outer casing forsecuring within it the powder iilled inner casing in such manner thatleakage of powder from the bottom of the device will be prevented.

It is a further object of my invention to provide means for insuring apowder-tight connection around the outlet of the powder container andthe associated valved opening of the dispenser.

The body or outer casing of the dispenser is preferably thin and formedso that, in one direction at least it is narrower at its top than at itsbottom or base to give it stability, when resting on its base, and alsoa, pleasing appearance. In order to minimize the amount of material usedin the outer casing, its shape inside should follow quite closely itsexterior shape. It is desirable to make the containers for the powder asinexpensively as possible because ordinarily they will be discarded oncethe powder contained therein is used. The powder container may be madeof paper and I have found that it is more practical and less expensiveto make the container with straight side and end walls, and when that 1sdone and a dispenser as described is used substantial spaces will bepresent at the bottom of the powder container between its straight sidedends and the aring end walls of the dispenser casing. It is anotherobject of my invention to provide a closure plate adapted to t the openend of the dispenser casing and to be held against lateral movement withrespect thereto in combination with anchoring means extending throughthe closure plate and the powder container all so arranged that thepowder container will be secured rigidly with respect to the dispenserand the seal between the powder container and the dispenser around thepowder discharge openings will be maintained.

The invention consists in the novel constructions, arrangements anddevices to be hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out theabove stated objects and such other objects as will appear from thefollowing description of certain preferred embodiments illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1 is a side View of a powderdispensing device and powder supply container partly in section andpartly in elevation embodying the principles of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the device taken on the line 2 2 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the dispenser equipped with amodified form of powder container, certain of the dispenser parts beingin different relative positions;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the powder container shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the last mentioned container.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several views,

The dispenser illustrated comprises a body or outer casing 8 having sidewalls 9 and I0, end walls II and I2, and a bottom closure plate I3. Thecontainer is so shaped that the distance between the end walls Il and I2is much greater than the distance between the side walls 9 and IU; andthe distance between the end walls Il and I2 at their upper ends issubstantially less than that between their lower ends, all of whichtends to make the body of the dispenser of pleasing proportions anddesign. The dispenser is provided on its top with a portion I4 which hasa cylindrical cavity I5 formed therein. The cavity is open at one end asshown and extends across the dispenser substantially in the samedirection as the side walls 9 and I0. The parts described are preferablymolded of a suitable plastic material.

A metal sleeve I6 is provided in the cavity I5. A Valve member I1, alsopreferably of metal, is rotatably disposed in the sleeve I6. The topportion I4 of the dispenser is provided with a transverse slot I8 andthe sleeve I6 with a slot I9 registering with the slot I8. A pin 2Ucarried by the valve member I1 extends through the slots I8 and I9 andis of such length that it extends beyond the sidewalls 9 or IIJ of thedispenserfor convenient operation of the valve member. The sleeve I6 hasan opening 2I in register with an opening 22 in the adjacent wall of thedispenser, the openings 2I and 22 constituting a powder discharge outletfrom the interior of the dispenser into the sleeve I6. In one position,the Valve member I1 closes the sleeve opening 2l and in another positionaffords a passage from the opening 2| to the open end -of the cavity Iand the sleeve I6. The valve member I1 on its end adjacent the end wallII of the dispenser is formed with a recess 23 and a transverse slot 24at .the bottom of the recess. At the closed end of the lcavity I5, theportion I4 of the dispenser is formed with a transverse slot 25. A.torsionspring 2B is disposed in the recess 23, and the opposite endsofthe spring fit into the slots 24 and 25. On its end adjacent the endwall I2, the valve member I1 is cut away at one side and when in theposition shown in Fig. 3 forms with the inner side of the sleeve I6 achannel or passage .21 which extends between the dispenser loutlet 22and the open end of the sleeve I6. When the valve member I1 is in theposition shown in Fig. 1, which is 180 from that shown in Fig. 3, itcloses the dispenser outlet 22. The spring 26 is under torsional stresswhen the valve member I1 is in both of its aforesaid rotative positions,and the spring acts to keep the valve member normally in its closingposition, as in Fig. l. The pin 26 makes contact in both of theaforesaid rotative positions of the valve member with I'the respectiveends of the slots I8 and I9 and the valve member is thus l preventedfrom rotating beyond those positions.

The dispenser on its end wall I2 is provided with a scoop 28, preferablyvof molded plastic ma- "teri-al which is hinged to the dispenser by apin 29, the ,parts fitting tightly so that the scoop will remain in `anyposition desired with respect to the dispenser. The scoop :in itsposition over the lbody of the dispenser, as shown in Fig. 1, acts as a`cover for the body and waive construction. The scoop is swung out fromthe body and is held by friction in the position Vdesi-red to receivepowder discharged through the passage 21.

An inner casing, package, or powder container 30 is provided for thedispenser. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and '5 Vthe Vpowdercontainer is .shaped to it closely ywithin the body of the dispenser,the container having side walls 3-I and 3.2 and end Walls 3.3 and .#34which slant to conform to the .dispenser body. The container is providedwith va top wall and a bottom wall 36. The powder container maybe moldedor otherwise `formed from any suitable material such as paper, metal oran Yinexpensive plastic material. The top wall V35 and the bottom 'wall36 may be ang-ed :at their edges, as best shown in Fig. 2, and .secu-redto the inner surfaces of the vend and Zside walls by an adhesive or.other suitable material. Preferably .the top wall 35 is set somewhatbelow rthe top .edges of the side and end walls `so as to provide a rimlor flange .31 around the top wall adapted to :bear tightly against agasket 38 of felt or other suitable material interposed between saidange and the adjacent wall of the dispenser. The top wall 35 is providedwith an elongated opening 39, the main portion of which registers withthe openings 2I and 22 of the dispenser, the other portion of saidopening being adapted to receive a boss 40 formed on the dispenser intowhich is threaded or otherwise se- Cured the top end of an anchoringstud 4I. The lower end of the stud 4I terminates adjacent a removableportion 42 provided in or on the bottom wall 36.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, the margins` of the dispenser closure plateI3 fit snugly inside a flanged rim 43 formed on the bottom of thedispenser. Preferably the central portion of the plate I3 is depressedor offset inwardly or upwardly at 44 to provide space for the flangedhead of a fastening nut 45, the body of the nut passing upwardly throughan opening 46 in the plate I3 and the opening 42 in the bottom wall 36of the powder container and having threaded connection with the lowerend of the stud 4I. Pre-ferably the major portion of the body Vof thenut passing through the plate I3 is straight-sided and the remainingportion thereof is tapered so that upon turning the nut home on the stud4I the tapered body of the `nut ts tightly within the opening 42 therebypreventing escape of powder through that opening around the nut. It willbe obvious that turning of the nut tightly on the stud will result insome compression of the gasket 38 and prevent any leakage of powderbetween the upper end of the container and the opposed Wall .of thedispenser, particularly around the openings 22 an-d 39.

The powder container ordinarily will be filled through .the .opening.39, and that opening may then be sealed by any convenient displaceablemeans. As shown in Fig. 4, I have provided over the opening 39 a strip41 of. cloth, paper .or other suitable material having its under sidesecured `to the top wall 35 by a suitable adhesive. The strip 41 may beprovided with a tab portion 41a unsecured to the wall 35 to facilitateremoval of the strip. The opening y42 in the bottom wall 3'6 of the bodycontainer also may be closed by a disc 48 of any suitable materialsecured 'by an adhesive to the wall 36, and the disc 48 also may beprovided with an unsecured tab 48a to facilitate its removal. If theldisc 48 is ma-de of paper or other puncturable material it need not beremoved because the stud 4I, if long enough, will force its way throughthe `disc 48 when the powder container is inserted into the dispenser orthe end of the fastening nut may be forced through the disc, and uponturning the fastening nut tightly on the stud a powder-tight engagementbetween the punctured disc 48, the bottom wall of the container and thenut may be readily obtain-ed.

Paper is probably the least expensive material that can be used formaking the powder containers. To reduce the cost of manufacturing thecontainers to the lowest point it is desirable that the side and endwalls of the container be straight. Such a modified form of container isshown at 49 in Fig. 3. When such a container is used i-n a dispensershaped as described there are substantial spaces between the outer wallsof the container at its lower end and the inner adjacent walls of thedispenser body. While the powder capacity of the container is somewhatless, the arrangement is satisfactory. The snug t between the margins ofthe bottom closure plate I3 with the body of the dispenser prevents anylateral movement of the closure plate with Vrespect to the dispenserbody; and when the fastening nut 46 is passed through the closure plateI3 and the bottom of the powder container into operative holdingengagement with the stud 4I, the bottom of the powder container is alsoeffectively held against any lateral movement. It follows, therefore,that the powder-tight seal between the upper end of the powder containerand the adjacent opposed dispenser wall is maintained and leakage ofpowder between said parts, as it is sifted through the dischargepassage, is prevented.

The combined powder container and dispenser described herein readilylend themselves to volume production at a cost well within permissiblelimits. 'I'he body of the dispenser and its associated parts may be madein a factory best suited for the production of such articles, decoratedas desired and sold direct to users in trade channels ordinarilyhandling such articles; or the dispensers may be sold, or supplied aspremiums, by the manufacturer of the powder together with one or more ofthe powder lled containers. lThe latter may be made in a paper box plantor other factory best suited for theV production of such articles andthey may be supplied direct to the powder manufacturer, filled andsealed by him for sale as refills through drugstores and other ordinaryoutlets. Obviously, the powder containers may carry any desired label orother advertising matter of the powder manufacturer.

The contents of the rell are fully protected against moisture and allforeign matter until the refills reach the ultimate user. Thearrangement is such that a user may conveniently remove an emptycontainer and insert a powder charged container.

Once a powder charged container is inserted into its body, the dispensermay be operated or used and the scoop washed just as though the powderwere placed directly within the body of the dispenser, and in the samemanner as is described in my said copending application.

I do not desire to limit my invention to the 45 specific arrangementsand constructions shown and described except only insofar as certain ofthe claims may be so limited as it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that changes may be made vvithoui-J departing from theprinciples of my invention.

I claim:

l. A dispenser for tooth powder and the like comprising in combinationan outer casing in the form of a sleeve open at one end and having inits other end a valved opening, an inner casing for containing a supplyof powder and having in one end a powder discharge opening in registerwith said valved opening, closure means for the open end of said outercasing, and anchoring means carried by the outer casing and passing Ithrough the inner casing and said closure means for securing the innercasing and the closure means in operative relation with respect to theouter casing, said anchoring means comprising readily connected anddisconnected parts.

2. A dispenser for tooth powder and the like comprising in combinationan outer casing in the form of a sleeve open at one end and having inits other end a valved opening, an inner casing for containing a supplyof powder and having in one end a second or powder discharge opening inregister with said valved opening and having in its opposite end anotheror third opening, closure means for the open end of said outer casing,an

anchoring stud carried by said outer casing and terminating adjacentsaid third opening and a fourth opening provided in said closure means,

and a flanged element the body of which projects through said fourth andthird openings and has threaded connection with said stud, that part ofthe body of said element passing through said third opening beingtapered and tightly seated therein to prevent escape of powder throughthe third opening. v

3. A dispenser for tooth powder and the like comprising in combinationan outer casing in the form of a sleeve open at one end and having inits other end a valved opening, an inner casing for containing a supplyof powder and having in one end a second'or powder discharge opening inregister with said valved opening and having in its opposite end anotheror third opening, a closure plate tting the open end of said outercasing and held by the casing from lateral movement, an anchoring studcarried by said outer casing and terminating adjacent said third openingand a fourth opening provided in said closure plate, and a flangedelement the body of which projects through said fourth and thirdopenings and has threaded connection with said stud, that part of saidelement passing through said third opening being tapered and tightlyseated therein to prevent escape of powder through the third opening.

4. A dispenser for tooth powder and the like comprising an outer casinghaving a wall provided with a valved opening, a casing within the outercasing for containing a supply of powder and having at one end a wallprovided with a second or powder discharge opening in register with saidvalved opening and having in its opposite wall another or third opening,a gasket between said rst and second Walls and around said valved andsecond openings, a closure plate f1tting the open end of said outercasing and held by the casing from lateral movement, an anchoring studcarried by said outer casing and terminating adjacent said third openingand a fourth opening provided in saidl closure plate, and a flangedelement the body of which projects through said fourth opening and istightly seated .in said third opening and has threaded connection withsaid stud, the arrangement being such 50 that said inner casing isrigidly secured with respect to the outer casing and powder can only*escape through said second and first openings.

5. A dispenser for tooth powder and the like comprising in combinationan outer casing hav- 55 ing a valved opening, an inner casing for con-VM taining a supply of powder and having a powder discharge opening inregister with said valved opening, said outer casing having an aperturefor entrance of said inner casing, a closure for said 60- aperture, andanchoring means carried by said outer casing and passing through theinner casing and engageable with said closure for securing the innercasing in operative relation with re- 65 spect to the outer casing, saidanchoring means comprising readily connectible and disconnectible parts.

6. A dispenser for tooth powder and the like comprising in combinationan outer casing hav- 70 ing a valved opening, an inner casing forcontaining a supply of powder and having in one end a powder dischargeopening in register with said valved opening and when in place Withinsaid outer casing having another opening in its opposite end, said outercasing having an aperture.. for receiving said inner casing, a closuremember for said aperture, an anchoring stud carriedv bysaid outer casingand terminating adjacent the last mentiened opening in said innerCasing, and means including a tapered member havingA threaded connectionwith said stud and extending through said closure member and tightlyseated in the last mentioned opening of said inner casing to seal it.

7. In combination, a dispenser for powder and a ren-,11 powder package,said dispenser having a valved powder discharge Opening and an apertureto admit the rell package,a closure for said aperture, said packagehaving an opening to register with said valved opening,A a displaceableclosure for said package opening removable when said package is insertedin said dispenser, a stud fixed in said dispenser and adapted topenetrate said package when the same is inserted in said dispenser, andan anchoring nut extending through said aperture closure and engageableWith said stud to hold said closure in piace, said anchoring nut adaptedto seal the hole in the package made in the adjacent portion thereof bypenetration of said stud When said package is inserted in saiddispenser.

PHILIP C. P. BOOTY.

